Public Access Strategy - Key Principles Developing Land Manager Involvement

Liaising with land managers on matters relating to countryside access will be vital for the successful implementation of the strategy, particularly as it moves forward and the new legislation is finalised, consulted on and enacted.  It is important that momentum is not simply absorbed by the need to deal with problems as they arise across the area.  In particular, the strategy should build on the willingness of some land managers to open up dialogue, which was apparent at the planning workshop.  It is proposed that the emphasis of the work should be upon:

• discussing issues of principle with landowners and farmers to identify areas of key concern.  Land managers currently have varying levels of awareness of the proposed new legislation.  It is therefore important that consultation includes an element of information provision, ensuring that local people are aware of current issues;
• preparing model agreements and providing advice on sources of funding for access management and provision;
• developing codes of practice for the use and management of paths involving user group representatives and landowning / farming interests;
• encouraging the establishment of farm / school partnerships to foster understanding and awareness;
• working closely with relevant representatives of land management interests (via the local access forum and more directly within specific projects), including:  Scottish Landowners Federation; National Farmers Union of Scotland, Timber Growers Association, Game Conservancy Trust, FWAG.

On the ground liaison with land managers can often be an effective way of ensuring that their views are better understood.  However, one to one consultation on a regular basis is resource intensive.  It may therefore be useful to develop a framework for regular land manager meetings, where access issues are discussed.  This need not be frequent, but could be linked with NFUS meetings.  It is important not to treat land managers as a homogenous group (in the same way that a 'community' can comprise a wide range of people).  Their interests can range from sporting and conservation interests to the implications of access for livestock, arable and cropping, or more mixed use.  Land managers may also be land or estate owners, but could equally be tenant farmers, gamekeepers, or foresters.

Land manager meetings should be carefully timed to minimise disruption of operations as dictated by seasonal change.  Whilst demands make meeting difficult at most times of the year, planting harvest, lambing and livestock housing times should be particularly avoided.  A further rule of thumb is that workloads begin to peak as daylight hours lengthen. Involvement should be encouraged from the outset of the developing a path proposal, and should continue after construction to monitor closures, management issues, signage and any problems which might emerge.

Much of the land management across Scotland operates with a language all of its own.  This can be compounded by the use of colloquialisms to describe certain categories of stock or operations.  It is important that those involved in the process of land manager consultation can talk the same language or at least understand what is being said, if they are not to lose respect and credibility.  Part of this must be an appreciation of the economic conditions which prevail in the various sectors of land management.  Being able to provide staff with empathy for land managers' situations, to lead consultations / negotiations will be critical if co-operation is to be obtained and maintained.  Training of staff may therefore be required.

Not withstanding the importance of understanding and responding to the specific characteristics and motivations of land managers, their role as part of the community as a whole should not be overlooked.  It is important to involve land managers in community discussions, and to ensure they are encouraged to play a role within local groups.  This can provide land managers and communities with a forum where possibly conflicting views can be brought together and openly discussed as a form of capacity building.